Composites – Page 3
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ArticleFibre space
The recycling of carbon fibres presents a real challenge for the industry but, with interest being shown by the makers of electric vehicles and sportscars, opportunities are emergingIf the automotive industry’s use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) is to increase significantly, then efficient methods for recycling these materials must be ...
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ArticleFibre space
The recycling of carbon fibres presents a real challenge for the industry but with interest being shown by the makers of electric vehicles and sportscars, opportunities are emergingIf the automotive industry’s use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) is to increase significantly, then efficient methods for recycling these materials must be ...
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ArticleNew stamping ground
Gestamp chairman and CEO Francisco Riberas tells AMS about the growth in outsourcing of press shop operationsSpanish metal parts supplier Gestamp has grown to the point it is now the go-to company for European makers wanting to outsource body-in-white and chassis parts, particularly stronger hot-stamped steel parts.It has leveraged this ...
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ArticleInterview: William Brunat, PPG
AMS visits Ingersheim to speak to the company's technical director, EMEA, about the challenges facing coatings specialists in light of new body materials and the rise of electric and autonomous vehiclesNick Holt (NH): How much of a challenge will multi-material vehicles present in the future?William Brunat (WB): There are ...
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Article
Composites take shape
Pressing and forming technology for composite materials are a key part of modern automotive production. Andrew Williams looks at the latest developmentsWhen manufacturing composite parts, companies throughout the automotive supply chain commonly rely on hydraulic press systems, which are generally far better at increasing the curing time of materials compared ...
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ArticleOff the grid
By convention, single-seater cars are machines for the racing circuit but one family business is striving to create and manufacture the exceptionSingle seater cars are usually machines for the race track only but there can be exceptions. One of them is the BAC Mono, made by small UK company Briggs ...
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ArticleHandheld laser scanner
The ModelMaker H120 portable laser scanner features blue laser technology, an ultra-fast frame rate, specially developed optics and offers the ability to measure challenging materials, claims Nikon Metrology. It also features thermal stability and temperature compensation.The company says the scanner offers a field-of-view width up to 120mm and a point ...
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ArticleBody conscious
The growing trend for OEMs opting for AHSS components has surpassed the expectations of steelmakersAudi’s decision to use a mass-produced carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) part in the body structure of its A8 may have secured many headlines, but the company’s extensive use of steel rather than aluminium in this model may ...
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ArticleMercedes GLC F-Cell in pre-production
Germany – The OEM presented the vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show as “the next milestone on the road to emission-free driving”. The GLC F-Cell features a new fuel-cell system and a lithium battery which serves as an additional energy source for the electric motor. The car will go on ...
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ArticleNissan Tochigi's human touch
Automotive manufacturing is known for its robotics, but Nissan’s ‘master craftsmen’ show that there is still a place for human skill. AMS went to see them at work on the GTR and Infiniti models made at Tochigi, JapanMost countries value luxury products, but few cherish the beauty of production quite ...
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ArticleMaking a Mirai-cle
A lack of infrastructure is holding back the take up of alternatively powered vehicles, but the manufacturing process can be a wonder of manual labour. AMS went to Motomachi to see Toyota making its fuel-cell modelIt seems fitting that the factory where Toyota made its first passenger cars, in the ...
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ArticleMaterial world
Inside its new bodyshop at Neckarsulm, Audi applies an enterprising mix across materials and joining technologies for its latest luxury sedan.
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ArticleMan or machine?
Vehicle-makers are introducing more wearable equipment to alleviate stresses and strains, giving assembly workers a somewhat cyborg look. AMS reports on the latest innovations being rolled out by Audi and BMWAs the robots used in automotive manufacturing become more human, able to work collaboratively and intelligently, in one sense human ...
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ArticleOpen-door opportunity
Much R&D work has been done to reduce the weight of vehicle structures, but closures still represent a significant opportunity for weight savingsClosures are mounted after body assembly and can be built up off-line, meaning that they can be made of entirely different materials, such as aluminium, to the vehicle’s ...
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ArticleA tale of two paintshops
A major new double paintshop project is under way at Bowling Green which GM say will achieve unprecedented levels of first time quality and throughputBy any standards $439m represents a significant investment. Even more so when the money goes towards the construction of an automotive painting installation covering a little ...
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ArticleA world of possibilities
Advanced high-strength steel offers advantages for cost and sustainability in automotive manufacturing Looking into the future of automotive manufacturing, some challenges are clear. Vehicle weight, environmental impact and the number of injuries due to accidents must all be reduced, yet costs cannot be allowed to rise. Advanced high-strength steel ...
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ArticleMcLaren to open composites facility
UK – The Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield will develop and manufacture the Monocell and Moncage carbon-fibre chassis in future McLaren cars. Construction work will begin in early 2017 and full production is scheduled for 2020. Meanwhile, pre-production chassis will be completed using trial processes at the nearby Advanced Manufacturing ...
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ArticleMaking light work
Strong, stiff and light, these properties make composites a compelling proposition for the manufacture of tooling and production aidsIn sheet metal forming, epoxy resin dies were first used in the 1950s. These thermosets were often filled with steel powder or sand to increase their wear resistance and mechanical properties. Filled ...
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ArticleRecycle route for carbon fibre
The use of carbon fibre in automotive manufacturing is in its infancy but with £316m worth of the material sent to landfill in 2015 it is imperative the industry explores more ways of recycling European Union (EU) end-of-life vehicle directives prescribe that 85% of the materials used in a new ...
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ArticleFord extends GT supercar production
US – The OEM has announced that the carbon fibre vehicle will be manufactured for another two years. Year three of production will support customers already on the waiting list, while previously deferred applicants and others who missed the application window will be served by year four. The application process ...